Padres fans: Why the Gwynn snub MLB?

FILE - Baseball Hall of Famer Tony Gwynn throws out a first pitch to son Tony Gwynn Jr. #10 of the Los Angeles Dodgers before the Father's Day game with the Houston Astros on June 19, 2011 at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)

Stephen Dunn

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SAN DIEGO - Padres fans are unhappy that Tony Gwynn wasn’t mentioned at all during Tuesday night’s All-Star Game, but Major League Baseball isn’t offering an apology.

The Hall of Famer died one month ago after a battle with cancer, and many fans expected to see some sort of tribute to the 15-time All-Star during the Mid-Summer Classic at Target Field in Minneapolis. Instead, they saw dozens of moments devoted to retiring Yankees star Derek Jeter, but nothing remembering Gwynn and his contributions to the game.

MLB responded with the following statement:

“We are deeply saddened by the loss of Hall of Famer Tony Gwynn, an extraordinary individual whose memory we have honored in numerous ways in recent weeks,” the statement read. “The Baseball family has sadly lost a number people this year – including Hall of Famer Ralph Kiner, Frank Cashen, and former All-Stars Jerry Coleman, Jim Fregosi and Don Zimmer – and did not want to slight anyone by singling out one individual.”

However, there is precedent for honoring fallen baseball legends during the season. Kevin Kaduk tweeted, “Ted Williams died the week before the 2002 All-Star Game and had the MVP immediately named after him. MLB had a month and did nothing for Tony Gwynn.”

Ted Williams died the week before 2002 ASG and had MVP immediately named after him. MLB had a month and did nothing for Tony Gwynn.